MI Emirates bag Farooqi with record bid, Babar heads Vipers’ Pakistan contingent

Cricknation Update: MI Emirates acquire Faruqi with record bid, Babar leads Vipers to Pakistan team Faruqi, Liam Livingstone and Rahmanullah Gurbaz cross USD 300,000 mark in ILT20 auction Three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins Three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah is all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 Smile of a champion – Mohammed Siraj takes five wickets in the span of ten balls, India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup Final, Colombo, September 17, 2023 Alyssa Healy poses with the trophy after Australia retained the Ashes, England vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Women’s Ashes, Taunton, 18 July, 2023 Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Chandigarh, Chandigarh is India’s first planned city and it shows, uploaded on 27 November 2001.

Newlands in Ce Town will host the opening game of the main round on October 7 with the tournament running through to November 21 A jubilant Australian side with their prize, India vs Australia, Men’s ODI World Cup final, Ahmedabad, November 19, 2023 Two overlooked J&K seamers seized an unexpected opportunity to fill Auqib Nabi’s void and delivered crucial spells in the Irani Cup Sunil Kumar peals for a wicket, Jammu & Kashmir vs Rest of India, Irani Trophy, Srinagar, October 1, 2026 Having spent the past seven months in rehab, the fast bowler is all set to play in the Irani Cup against Jammu and Kashmir Akash Deep struck twice early on the final day, England vs India, 2nd Test, 5th day, Birmingham, July 6, 2025 The 41-year-old will kick off his 25th first-class season by leading Jammu & Kashmir in the Irani Cup against Rest of India in Srinagar Paras Dogra brings up his hundred, Delhi vs Jammu and Kashmir, 2nd day, Delhi, Ranji Trophy, November 9, 2025 The hosts lost Sai Sudharsan a few minutes before stumps on day three, still needing another 337 runs for victory Sam Harper has had a breakthrough season with the bat across formats and might be in the mix for higher honours for Australia Sam Harper scored his sixth first-class hundred, India A vs Australia A, 2nd unofficial Test, Puducherry, 1st day, September 29, 2026 The Australia A ctain has embraced his reputation but believes his county and Shield experience have shown he can succeed in all conditions Peter Handscomb ctained the Prime Minister’s XI, Prime Minister’s XI vs England XI, Canberra, November 29, 2025 The target of 406 India were faced with didn’t seem to perturb the fans, who knew they would still win, and then it was just a matter of waiting for and celebrating the milestones Washington Sundar has meanwhile been withdrawn from the T20I series against WI, with Naman Dhir named his replacement Prasidh Krishna has a chat with Shubman Gill, India vs West Indies, 1st ODI, Thiruvananthuram, September 27, 2026 India coach also felt that wickets offering so little for bowlers were “not fair”, making it difficult for them to have a meaningful impact on the game Ravindra Jadeja has a chat with Kuldeep Yadav and Shubman Gill, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 Stats highlights from Guwahati, where Shubman Gill scored the fastest ever ODI double-hundred and Rohit Sharma blazed past 12000 runs Shubman Gill brought up a 62-ball ton in the chase, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 The West Indies opener has returned to ODI cricket at a stage of his career when opportunities cannot be assumed to stretch indefinitely ahead John Campbell’s century was the fifth-fastest for West Indies, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 From 1985 to 2026, India and Pakistan have met in six major tournament finals. Here’s how they unfolded India’s dramatic win against Pakistan in the 2007 World T20 final gave the format a massive boost in popularity India’s dramatic win against Pakistan in the 2007 World T20 final gave the format a massive boost in popularity, Final, India v Pakistan, World Twenty20, Johannesburg, Sep 24, 2007 The result sets up the first India vs Pakistan final this year, with the Asian Games gold medal at stake Ishan Kishan brought up a quick half-century, India vs Sri Lanka, Asian Games men’s competition, semi-final, Nisshin, October 1, 2026 Green suffered a blow in the groin while batting and did not field despite being set to bowl while Renshaw was forced off the field due to a blow on the wrist and did not return Cameron Green reacts after copping a blow while batting, South Africa vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Potchefstroom, September 30, 2026 Lungi Ngidi on how he didn’t feel supported as a bowler before Shukri Conrad took over as South Africa all-format coach Lungi Ngidi celebrates, South Africa vs West Indies, T20 World Cup Super Eight, Ahmedabad, February 26, 2026 SA vs Aus, 3rd ODI – Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh, Adam Zampa star as Australia win rain-affected finale Alex Carey takes evasive action, South Africa vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Potchefstroom, September 30, 2026 Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran continue to be rested from Tests as Afghanistan named squads for a packed all-format season in the UAE Mohammad Nabi picked up his best figures in T20Is, Afghanistan vs Canada, Men’s T20 World Cup, Chennai, February 19, 2026 Fazalhaq Farooqi struck the first blow for MI Emirates, Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates, ILT20, Sharjah, January 19, 2025 For the second auction in a row, Vipers, owned by American businessman Avram Glazer, stacked up their core with Pakistan players, with no competing bids from the other five franchises. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders , Dubai Citals , Sharjah Warriorz , Gulf Giants and MI Emirates have Indian owners and have ignored Pakistan talent across the past two auctions.

While Vipers acquired the Pakistan quartet for US$320,000, Afghanistan’s left-arm fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqui went to MI Emirates alone for US$380,000. He emerged as the biggest buy in an ILT20 auction, breaking the previous record set by Andre Fletcher in 2025. The West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman paid MI Emirates US$260,000 for him last year.

In this auction, Fletcher took a huge pay cut and moved to Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for US$40,000. Notably, Farooqi is the highest wicket-taker in the ILT20, with 64 strikes in 40 innings at an economy rate of 7.76. Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the only other player to break the US$300,000 mark in the auction.

ADKR outbid Vipers to sn up Gurbaz for USD 310,000, but Giants eventually used their Right-to-Match oon to bring him back. With the new auction and team building rules requiring each franchise to have at least four players from Afghanistan, their players were in high demand. All up, 25 players from Afghanistan were picked by the six franchises on Thursday.

Fakhar Zaman celebrates his century with Babar Azam, New Zealand vs Pakistan, ODI World Cup, Bengaluru, November 4, 2023 ADKR missed out on Gurbaz, but they signed Gulbadin Naib for US$75,000 and then wrist spinner Qais Ahmed for US$38,000 in the quick round of the auction. They also signed Arab Gul , a quick wristspinner in the mould of Rashid Khan . The 21-year-old Gul played for MI Emirates last season and recently made his T20I debut for Afghanistan in the Asian Games in January.

As for MI Emirates, they used their Right-to-Match oon to bring back mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar for USD 150,000, and pair him up with Rashid, who was among their pre-auction signings. Warriorz spent USD 140,000 on 41-year-old Mohammad Nabi , but there were no takers for his son Hassan Eisakhil. Waheedullah Zadran, who is a clone of Mujeeb ur Rahman, returned to the Giants.

He had played two games for them in the 2024-25 ILT20. While UAE T20I ctain Harpreet Singh didn’t find any bids, Chennai-born wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind , who has not played for the national team for more than a year, attracted a bid of USD 70,000 from Vipers. Aravind doesn’t have a T20I strike rate of 112.39, but his value would have increased due to the possible unavailability of key UAE players for the ILT20 later this year.

It is understood that the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) proached the ICC to check whether the Qualifier playoffs could be moved to January, but was told the global cricket calendar was tightly packed. Former ctain and serial six-hitter Muhammad Waseem , meanwhile, made MI Emirates use their Right-to-Match oon on him and have him back for USD 210,000. Waseem is currently not part of the UAE national side, and could be available for the entire ILT20 season.

There were no bids for former India international KS Bharat, who has now moved to the UAE, registering himself as a local wicketkeeper-batter for the ILT20. Bharat took part in the ILT20 development tournament before the auction, but found no takers in the experts set as well as the quick set in the final days of the auction. Donald’s compatriot James Coles could be in line for an ILT20 debut as well after putting in impressive performances in the SA20 for Sunrisers Eastern Ce and in the Hundred for London Spirit.

Coles was picked by MI Emirates for USD 100,000. Aneurin Donald ramped his first ball from Dushmantha Chameera, England vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I, Cardiff, September 17, 2026 At ADKR, Jakeem will be joined by Sri Lanka-born USA allrounder Amshi de Silva , who was the breakout star of MLC 2026, for Texas Super Kings. De Silva ended up missing the CPL for TKR, but is now set to unite with Bravo in the ILT20.

De Silva was selected for US$100,000 after a bidding war. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Auction Signings : Alishan Sharafu (USD 110,000), Amshi De Silva (USD 100,000), Muhammad Rohid (USD 95,000), Moeen Ali (USD 80,000), Arab Gul (USD 80,000), Usman Tariq (USD 80,000), Gulbadin Naib (USD 75,000), Ibrar Ahmed (USD 46,000), Andre Fletcher (USD 40,000), Ajay Kumar (USD 40,000), Colin Munro (USD 40,000), Michael Pepper (USD 40,000), Qais Ahmad (USD 38,000), Jakeem Pollard (USD 10,000), Abdul Mannan Ali (USD 10,000), Ravija Sandaruwan (USD 10,000), Abdullah Tarakhail (USD 10,000), Lorcan Tucker (USD 10,000). Retention and direct signings: Finn Allen, Jason Holder, Matthew Tromp, Sunil Narine.

Desert Vipers Auction Signees: David Payne (USD 150,000), Fakhar Zaman (USD 80,000), Naseem Shah (USD 80,000), Babar Azam (USD 80,000), Shadab Khan (USD 80,000), Khuzaima Bin Tanvir (USD 75,000), Vritya Arvind (USD 70,000), Aneurin Donald (USD 40,000), Abdullah Ahmadzai (USD 40,000), Joe Clark (USD 40,000), Nangeyalia Kharote (USD 28,000), Sanjay Pahal (USD 22,000), Harry Tector (USD 12,000), Ishtiaq Ahmed (USD 12,000), Neelansh Keswani (USD 10,000), Salim Safi (USD 10,000), Bilal Tahir (USD 10,000), Wali Muhammad (USD 10,000). Retentions and direct signings: Andries Ghaus, Dan Lawrence, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Shimron Hetmyer. Dubai Citals Auction Signings : Faf du Plessis (USD 300,000), Max Holden (USD 100,000), Dasun Shanaka (USD 100,000), Aayan Khan (USD 95,000), Hassan Khan (USD 90,000), Phil Salt (USD 80,000), Sediqullah Atal (USD 70,000), Mark Adair (USD 55,000), Karim Janat (USD 40,000), Luke Wood (USD 40,000), Tom Moores (USD 40,000), Haider Ali (USD 38,000), Zuhaib Zubair (USD 26,000), Darwish Rasooli (USD 10,000), Muhammad Arfan (USD 10,000), Matt Potts (USD 10,000), Usman Najeeb (USD 10,000), Anudeep Chenthamara (USD 10,000), Masood Ul Rahman Gurbaz – U19 (USD 10,000).

Retentions and Direct Signings : Marcus Stoinis, Mustafizur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Rovman Powell. Gulf Giants Auction Signings : Liam Livingstone (USD 350,000), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (USD 310,000), Alzarri Joseph (USD 230,000), Shamar Joseph (USD 80,000), David Wiese (USD 70,000), Ibrahim Zadran (USD 65,000), Tabraiz Shamsi (USD 40,000), Curtis Campher (USD 22,000), Dhruv Parashar (USD 10,000), Matiullah Khan (USD 10,000), Haider Razzaq (USD 10,000), Imran Mir (USD 10,000), Imtiaz Khan (USD 10,000), Meet Bhavsar (USD 10,000), Shubham Ranjane (USD 10,000), Wahidullah Zadran (USD 10,000), Awais Ahmed (USD 10,000), Sagar Kalyan (USD 10,000), Alick Athanaze (USD 10,000). Retentions and direct signings: Azmatullah Omarzai, Blessing Muzarabani, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen.

MI Emirates Auction Signings : Fazalhaq Farooqi (USD 380,000), Muhammad Waseem (USD 210,000), Chris Jordan (USD 170,000), AM Ghazanfar (USD 150,000), Lizaad Williams (USD 110,000), James Coles (USD 100,000), Jonny Bairstow (USD 80,000), Kusal Perera (USD 40,000), Jordan Thompson (USD 40,000), Zahoor Khan (USD 30,000), Wasim Akram (USD 10,000), Zain Ul Abidin (USD 10,000), Muhammad Shafeeq (USD 10,000), Asa Tribe (USD 10,000), Raizal Nadir Nather Shah (USD 10,000), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (USD 10,000), Faridoon Dawoodzai (USD 10,000), Ross Adair (USD 10,000). Retentions and Direct Signings : Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford. Sharjah Warriors Auction Signees: Richard Gleeson (USD 180,000), Mohammad Nabi (USD 140,000), Paul Walter (USD 110,000), Adil Rashid (USD 80,000), Brandon McMullen (USD 80,000), Tom Banton (USD 80,000), Craig Overton (USD 80,000), George Linde (USD 40,000), Ali Aamer Naseer (USD 40,000), Fareed Malik (USD 40,000), Sharafuddin Ashraf (USD 40,000), Logan Van Beek (USD 40,000), Junaid Siddiqui (USD 10,000), Tanish Suri (USD 10,000), Nabil Aziz (USD 10,000), George Dockrell (USD 10,000), Mohammad Saqib (USD 10,000), Arunraj Selvaraj (USD 10,000), James Rave (USD 10,000).

Retentions and direct signings: Adam Milne, James Vince, Waqar Salamkhil, Sikandar Raza. ILT20 Auction – MI Emirates bag Fazalhaq Faruqui with record bid, Babar Azam heads Pakistan contingent of Desert Vipers, Fazalhaq Faruqui gives first blow to MI Emirates, Sharjah Warriors vs MI Emirates, ILT20, Sharjah, Jan 19, 2025 56880, 84937, 65101, 103399, 90231, 59832, 90143, 57022, 84117, 114737, 79159, 112855, 46888, 116509, 104989, 108314, 67659, 108145, 120801, 105929 Story: Story:1556885+ ILT20 auction – MI Emirates acquire Fazalhaq Farooqui with record bid, Babar Azam heads Desert Vipers’ Pakistan contingent | Fazalhaq Faruqi breaks previous ILT20 auction record set by Andre Fletcher in 2025 • Availability of ILT20 UAE players uncertain ahead of ILT20 auction